Generation Isolation is based on responses from 5,072 young people in England aged 11-18, conducted in partnership with YouGov. We wanted to shine a spotlight on the social lives of young people by learning more about the 85% of time they spend outside of school – so that we, and organisations that support and care about young people, can advocate for support that better meets their needs.
The research lays bare the devastating consequences of the cost of living crisis on young people’s lives and opportunities outside of school. It also shows that young people continue to live lives dominated by online interactions and isolation – rather than experiencing the face-to-face activities, opportunities and social connection that develop vital confidence and skills for adulthood.
View the key findings infographicof young people are concerned about the cost of living
of young people from the least affluent households are concerned about the cost of living
of young people have had to stop out of school activities because of the cost of living
of young people from less affluent households have stopped activities because of the cost of living
of young people’s cost of living concerns are related to worries about their families
of those worried about the cost of living are concerned about their family not being able to pay bills
of those worried about the cost of living are concerned about their families not being able to afford food
of those worried about the cost of living are concerned about not being able to afford further education like college or university
of those worried about the cost of living are concerned about not being able to learn to drive
spend most of their free time on screens (compared with 73% in 2022)
of young people say they spend most of their free time outside school playing computer games
of young people say they spend most of their leisure time using their phone to communicate with friends
of young people spend most of their leisure time watching streamed content (e.g. Netflix, YouTube)
spend most of their free time in their bedrooms
of young people spend most of their free time at home
of young people spend most of their free time hanging out on the streets
of young people spend most of their free time alone
spend most of their free time in person with their friends
spend most of their free time online communicating with friends
of young people that attend a youth centre say it has a positive impact on their lives
of young people say going to a youth club has offered then new experiences and opportunities
of young people say going to a youth club has given them new skills
of young people say going to a youth club has helped them overcome the difficulties they face
of young people naming parents as people they feel they can trust and talk to
of young people consider their teacher to be a trusted adult
of young people do not have a trusted adult in their life outside of their family
of young people do not have a trusted adult they can trust and talk to
feel able to relax and have fun outside of school
do not have opportunities to meet new people or make friends beyond their social group outside of school
do not have opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity outside of school
of young people say they do not have a safe space where they feel belonging
reported high or very high levels of satisfaction with their life
reported high or very high feelings of anxiety
of young people reported high or very high feelings that the things they do in their life are worthwhile
of young people reported high or very high levels of happiness
concerns about their future (university, college, jobs etc)
what people think of them
exam pressure
the cost of living crisis
